If we really want to build circularly, we need to think about materials not only during demolition, but also during the design phase. It is precisely in the early stages that most decisions are made that impact CO₂ emissions, reusability and material value. Yet circularity advisors are still often missing from the design table.
A new role in the construction team
While architects, structural engineers and installation experts are already standard members of the design team, circularity is rarely structurally guaranteed. This is a shame, because with a circularity consultant, reuse, detachability and material data can be included in the planning process from the outset. Not as a replacement for other disciplines, but as a connector.
The power of inventory
A good circular design starts with insight. A materials inventory, possibly supplemented with reuse potential from an existing building, forms the basis. This creates a materials passport: an overview of material types, volumes, fastenings, dismantlability, and the place in the R ladder. This information can be used directly in platforms such as Insert and Madaster, and helps with accountability or valuation.
Three ways of thinking about circular design
Good advice looks at three lines of thought:
- What can be reused from the existing building, in the new building or elsewhere?
- Which circular products can be used from the network?
- How does the design contribute to detachability and future circularity?
This integrated approach makes circularity tangible and feasible.
Measurable impact
Circularity only becomes convincing when it is measurable. With CO₂ analyses, design teams can provide insight into the benefits of circular material use – not only ecologically, but also financially. For example, a reused concrete staircase saves up to 80% CO₂.
Would you like to know if your design is ready for circularity? Visit our information centre or schedule an intake.
